"The combination of AVINFO's network management software and Cantronic's camera products will allow us to offer a complete solution in China's rapidly expanding security and surveillance market," stated James Zahn, president and CEO of Cantronic. "AVINFO has established its software as one of the leading management platforms for monitoring and surveillance, with small and large installations in some 60 Chinese cities. As these cities expand their networks they are more likely to choose a proven software solution with a user interface that their staff has been trained on. With AVINFO, Cantronic has improved its product offering, acquired a growing customer base in China and added talented technical and sales management. Cantronic is now well positioned to achieve its China growth strategy."

There's an interesting article in the Times today about video surveillance being used against police officers, either in vindicating accused individuals or in the process of perjury investigations against officers.
I won't get into the specifics of the article, though it's a good read, because what did or didn't happen isn't really relevant. What I find interesting is that video gets us to a place that seems to be harder and harder to find nowadays: the truth.
In a litigious society that's fallen in love with the argument at the expense of fact, good video surveillance delivers an unbiased eye and shows us what actually happened, rather than forcing us to rely on memories and explanations. There's real power in being able to see what actually happened.
For those who cry "Big Brother" every time another camera is installed, this is yet another argument for more cameras to be installed. People are not watching these cameras in real time. No one is watching what you're doing. But if you're assaulted by a police officer, you can prove it happened. Isn't that empowering for the the little guy in this country who might be worried about being marginalized by a growing government? Isn't making everyone more accountable a good thing?
As long as they're used correctly, video cameras offer public protection in a very real way.

It's time for SSN's annual central station/monitoring source book, where we list all the third-party centrals and the services they offer. To get in, all you need to do is fill out this survey:
http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/3cdcg24684
But do it now, because the DEADLINE IS MARCH 26.
Why so soon? Because we've found that no one fills it out after the first week we send announce anyway. And the sense of urgency might actually generate more responses. Plus, everyone's going to be at ISC West after that.

The American Association of Port Authorities says more than 200 projects are available for funding to the tune of about $8.5 billion.
Projects range from a $100 million lock replacement in the Soo locks to dock wall reconstruction for the Ports of Indiana and numerous dredging and channel maintenance projects around the county.

...

"Ports got a push after 9/11 with port security, but the transportation infrastructure component has really been given short shrift," he said. "There are people on the Hill and in the administration that understand both domestic and international trade is what really helps propel the economy, and if we're going to nurture that business, we've got to make sure the transportation connections are efficient."

Security will be a part of this stimulus, but when they say infrastructure, they mean infrastructure. There's going to be a lot of concrete poured and steel bent because of this stimulus package, but maybe not as much wire pulled and cameras installed as the industry might have hoped.

I'm just brimming with happy news today. Here's a report about what a smart buy Brink's Home Security is ... or will be in the long run.
And Brink's booster Jerome Lande's (of MMI hedge fund fame) got nothing on my eighth-grade daughter, Laura, who "bought" this stock as part of a social studies project. She bought it at $20 and the stock's up $2 since her purchase. She keeps me updated, via text, sometimes more than once a day, on its movements.

Wolverine Fire Protection Company,a Michigan fire alarm and sprinkler company that did $38 million in business last year is having "its best year in half a century," according to this story from the Flint Journal. (which I'm sure is thrilled to have some happy economic news to report for a change)
This family-owned business has 130 employees and six offices in five states.

Here's a nice story about Per Mar Security moving back into offices that were destroyed by flooding along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids.
While some security companies spend too much time in the background, I think it's important that they have prominent roles in their community. If security firms are seen as community leaders they're less likely to be seen as taking advantage of people's fears and insecurities.
Here's the video - good press for Per Mar:

U.S. Senators, scared by Chinese hacks of their computers, are calling for a cyber-security czar. You know, someone who reports directly to the president and would be in charge of ensuring the nation's confidential and classified documents aren't being downloaded by foreign governments.
But isn't that already somebody's job? Like the Chief National Security Advisor or the Secretary of Defense or somebody else who already reports to President Obama?
I'm reminded of Jack Johnson's keynote from TechSec where he made it clear that it's impossible to separate physical and logical security. Say, as part of that hack of a senator's computer, the hacker downloads an iCal file (this is clearly make-believe; no senator is actually on a Mac, I'm sure), and therefore knows where that senator will be every day for the next month. Isn't that a significant physical security threat?
Of course it is. The protection of files and data is tantamount to the protection of people and places and the more you go about separating the two tasks the weaker you'll be in the end.
If you want to emphasize the importance of cyber security, hire a bunch more logical security experts and place them in the service of your top national security people, but don't elevate the threat to a cabinet-level position just because you don't really understand it.

Home security was all over the news today. There were a bunch of stories yesterday about the former Ohio AG, Marc Dann, using campaign funds to pay for his $27,000 home security system.
Must be a nice system.
The Ohio Elections Commission decided to fine Dann $1,000 and his treasurer $250 for signing off on the security system. The story does not say whether he'll refund the $27,000 to his campaign war chest, but the story's not over yet. He's facing a bunch of other charges of using campaign funds for family trips and other unauthorized uses.
Guess who else is looking for home security? The New York Times this morning reported that the guys from AIG derivatives department are looking for more security, and some have received death threats.
That same story says former Merrill Lynch employees are also looking for private security.

A.I.G. employees are not the only ones seeking protection: An executive at Merrill Lynch, where bonuses have also come under fire, said that some employees had asked whether the firm would cover the cost of private security for them.
Scott Silvestri, a spokesman for Bank of America, which bought Merrill in December, would not respond to that claim, but said in a statement, â€œThe safety and security of our associates is paramount, and we will always take the appropriate steps.â€

I think these guys are absolutely entitled to be protected. I also think that anyone who keeps even part of those bailout bonuses should be required to volunteer in an unemployment office. Might help them understand the anger.